Options for moving around the district have improved for people with disabilities in our district, with the roll-out of the Total Mobility Scheme to Matamata-Piako. The transport scheme subsidises users with a 50 percent discount off taxi fares within the district.

Mayor Adrienne Wilcock said she is pleased to see this much-anticipated service up-and-running in time for the warmer months. “We committed to this scheme to give the mobility-impaired more transport options,” she said. “The door-to-door service makes it easier to meet up with friends and family, get to appointments, go shopping, run errands and generally gain some much-valued independence.”

The Total Mobility Scheme gives registered users a discount of up to $60 within the district, with the user paying the remainder of the fare to the driver. Our district has two local taxi services registered as part of the scheme who can service all towns in the district.

Eligible people must complete a Total Mobility assessment to access the scheme. Registered assessors will be available at three locations across the district from October. Appointments are limited and applicants must make a booking.

Morrinsville

• Morrinsville Community House, 43 Canada Street, Morrinsville. Assessments available the third Tuesday of the month. Call 07 889 5355 to book an appointment.

Matamata

Matamata-Piako Civic and Memorial Centre, 11 Tainui Street, Matamata. Assessments available the third Wednesday of the month. Call 07 888 7157 to book an appointment.

Te Aroha

• Citizens Advice Bureau, 137 Whitaker Street, Te Aroha. Assessments available the third Tuesday of the month. Call 07 884 8037 to book an appointment.

Total Mobility Scheme users are also eligible to apply for the Accessibility Concession, an initiative which provides access to free public transport across the Waikato regional network with a registered Bee Card. To find out more, please visit busit.co.nz/accessibility or call 0800 205 305.